Injured woman carried down Mount Major in Alton

ALTON — A 21-year-old woman, Shannon Koechel of Bedford, slipped and fell while hiking with a friend on the Boulder Loop Trail on Mt. Major in Alton, injuring her leg.

The accident happened at about 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Knowing it would be getting dark in a few hours, the hikers called 911.

Alton Fire Department personnel and New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officers responded to the scene and carried Koechel down the trail. Rescuers reached the parking lot with the injured woman at about 4:30 p.m. Her family was there to greet her.

The hikers were well prepared for an emergency, being equipped with extra clothing, a headlamp, first aid equipment and food and water. "All these things helped make them comfortable while waiting for help," said Conservation Officer Ron Arsenault. "It is very important to be prepared while hiking in New Hampshire, especially in the winter."